Recently out of a marriage partly defined by the living space (a boat), now in my own space and loving all of it as it evolves into just mine. Thank you for the prompt, I think I will set aside some thinking/journaling time for the spaces I have lived in.
Loved the imagery of “everything on display” akin to your emotional status at the time. Places we live, representing a mile marker on our journey, help us remember we are growing, moving forward, to healthier (more habitable) places in our soul. Really enjoyed this one!
What a wonderfully evocative insight to you and your life and a journey over time.
As for Ikea, someone who demonstrates that kind of logical, clarity of thought is someone I'd want helping me out in an emergency because had you been with Ben, you'd certainly have been the most capable person present.
We've had five houses in 20 years of marriage. Each has been turned from house to home back to house as we've prepared for a move to the next city. Home is where you feel safe and are with those who love you. It doesn't just have your stuff, it has your stuff placed just where you want it in a way that makes living in your space comfortable. I enjoyed this reflective piece.
I’m moving into a 50 year old house with my partner next month. She lived there with her ex-husband for 30 years and she has her version of spiders—bad memories of living with a hoarder. I loved your list of what makes a home. I want her to finally feel that way in her home. Our home. I can’t wait for her to be able to breathe in the beauty of our home and no longer be greeted with chaos. (I also want those things for myself AND have the energy and ideas to make it happen. She’s a pediatrician and those are not her skills.)
I truly do love the way you tended to the space you had then. You could see the personalities of the inhabitants right away. Generic spaces have no soul.
SO glad you learned to love spiders! Many believe they accompany the appearance of wealth in your life...And I'm also really glad you got those water bottles in a box! Once helped a pack-rat buddy of mine move out a 3-bedroom apartment in Germany. After three truckloads and countless carloads of junk, we all found ourselves in the basement while my buddy began hammering away...on his harmonium. We're not friends anymore...Great piece. Do you miss SoCal?
Loved this post! Just wanted to mention I laughed so hard at the questions you asked yourself about whether you should leave to go to the hospital or unload your car 🤣
I see warmth and color in each of the images. Both constitute a home. I was particularily enamored with the kitchen shot and secretly thrilled you weren't the chef in the family :) you would have been too perfect, haha.
I don't know how you handle wolf spiders - the hair stood on the back of my neck when I used to find them inches away from me while taking a shower. The bathroom didn't have a light (an old mother-in-law cottage I stayed in while caretaking an estate) so I'd use a flashlight to illuminate the room. I'd scream every single time (and there were many over 18 months) he or she jumped.
Great piece, thanks for making me smile before heading off to work!
You have such a great ability to put into words the way I've always felt about houses I'm comfortable living in (amongst many other things!).
Even my old, rundown, shared accommodation, with six of us crammed into three bedrooms and a tiny living room in my early twenties had most of the things on your list and although I was glad to leave, it was definitely A Home for six years (and, frankly, your Tumblr was a digital home for me too).
Recently out of a marriage partly defined by the living space (a boat), now in my own space and loving all of it as it evolves into just mine. Thank you for the prompt, I think I will set aside some thinking/journaling time for the spaces I have lived in.
Loved the imagery of “everything on display” akin to your emotional status at the time. Places we live, representing a mile marker on our journey, help us remember we are growing, moving forward, to healthier (more habitable) places in our soul. Really enjoyed this one!
What a wonderfully evocative insight to you and your life and a journey over time.
As for Ikea, someone who demonstrates that kind of logical, clarity of thought is someone I'd want helping me out in an emergency because had you been with Ben, you'd certainly have been the most capable person present.
We've had five houses in 20 years of marriage. Each has been turned from house to home back to house as we've prepared for a move to the next city. Home is where you feel safe and are with those who love you. It doesn't just have your stuff, it has your stuff placed just where you want it in a way that makes living in your space comfortable. I enjoyed this reflective piece.
How lovely. You are making me think about what I want to see when I wake up.
I’m moving into a 50 year old house with my partner next month. She lived there with her ex-husband for 30 years and she has her version of spiders—bad memories of living with a hoarder. I loved your list of what makes a home. I want her to finally feel that way in her home. Our home. I can’t wait for her to be able to breathe in the beauty of our home and no longer be greeted with chaos. (I also want those things for myself AND have the energy and ideas to make it happen. She’s a pediatrician and those are not her skills.)
I truly do love the way you tended to the space you had then. You could see the personalities of the inhabitants right away. Generic spaces have no soul.
SO glad you learned to love spiders! Many believe they accompany the appearance of wealth in your life...And I'm also really glad you got those water bottles in a box! Once helped a pack-rat buddy of mine move out a 3-bedroom apartment in Germany. After three truckloads and countless carloads of junk, we all found ourselves in the basement while my buddy began hammering away...on his harmonium. We're not friends anymore...Great piece. Do you miss SoCal?
So well written! You transported me to every weird, special nook.
Thank you for this. Pure joy to read. You’re a treasure!
Loved this post! Just wanted to mention I laughed so hard at the questions you asked yourself about whether you should leave to go to the hospital or unload your car 🤣
I see warmth and color in each of the images. Both constitute a home. I was particularily enamored with the kitchen shot and secretly thrilled you weren't the chef in the family :) you would have been too perfect, haha.
I don't know how you handle wolf spiders - the hair stood on the back of my neck when I used to find them inches away from me while taking a shower. The bathroom didn't have a light (an old mother-in-law cottage I stayed in while caretaking an estate) so I'd use a flashlight to illuminate the room. I'd scream every single time (and there were many over 18 months) he or she jumped.
Great piece, thanks for making me smile before heading off to work!
Adored your list of what you need for a home.
You have such a great ability to put into words the way I've always felt about houses I'm comfortable living in (amongst many other things!).
Even my old, rundown, shared accommodation, with six of us crammed into three bedrooms and a tiny living room in my early twenties had most of the things on your list and although I was glad to leave, it was definitely A Home for six years (and, frankly, your Tumblr was a digital home for me too).